PRE GATHERING WORKSHOPS Who Me? Implicit Bias “Embracing Each Other: Transformation into Wholeness” is the theme of the 2019 AVPUSA Gathering. Reflecting on the Conference Committee’s development of that theme, Nathan Kleban wrote “We wondered what kind of transformation would support our ability to see ourselves and one another as whole human beings together, recognizing that each one of us is valuable and then valuing one another out of that awareness. We also discussed the influence that age, race, class, gender, and incarceration history have on our organizational structure and processes.” IMPLICIT BIAS: Despite our best intentions, it is impossible not to be influenced by the social messages we are continually exposed to about age, race, class, gender, and incarceration status. We can, however, learn to uncover and address our unintended biases. During the pre-conference we aim to build a brave space which is both safe (so we can look deeply within) and dangerous (as we are open to challenge and change). We will work to discover the unconscious biases we bring to our work, explore AVP’s history in dealing with ism’s, and collaborate on strategies for moving forward individually and collectively. Participants are asked to complete the activities here before arriving. Open this link: Harvard Survey AGENDA Morning: Welcome, Building Community and Brave Space, Exploring Individual Bias Afternoon: Oppression and Resistance in AVP; Shared Strategies for Moving Forward Facilitators:  Jazzy Jaguar JT is a Quaker, Vietnam era vet, and human rights activist who was lost and became found via the lights that came in an AVP circle. .JPG) Mystic Margaret is a Quaker, naturalist, and educator who is grateful for the learning gems she receives from each AVP workshop. JT and Margaret did their AVP training together in Indiana 15 years ago. He stayed, working primarily with youth at Peace Learning Center, juvenile corrections facilities and in elementary schools. She travelled, working primarily in New York prisons and promoting networking via AVP USA and International Gatherings. They joyfully mentor and challenge each other. Embracing Wholeness Through Body-Mind-Heart Integration in AVP Trainings Purpose: (1) To explore the extent to which AVP exercise encourage (integrate) experiences that activate body, mind, and heart as a path to positive interpersonal relations in workshops (and beyond); (2) To evaluate AVP exercises and materials for their promotion of conflict resolution self-empowerment, and respect for others through body-mind-heart processes. The Education Committee invites you to join us in reviewing, evaluating, experiencing, re-experiencing and perhaps rewriting AVP exercises and activities to discover and reinforce the mind-body-heart connections that promote self-empowerment, respect for others, and "aliveness" in AVP training. Why is the body-mind-heart integration important? This integrative approach to training is important because experiential learning -- learning by doing and by getting immediately involved in new experiences -- is an essential path to the fullest expression of each person's gifts and strengths, building community, resolving social differences with others, and embracing something of value in each of us. Our AVP experiential training is a path to aligning with AVP core values. From the "gathering" to the "closing," this workshop will focus on body-mind-heart connections as depicted in our training exercises. In the morning session, participants will experience (or re-experience) exercises and activities in the Basic or Second level manuals that promote body-mind-heart connections. Then, in the afternoon session, using creative evaluations activities, we will explore the role that body-mind-heart connections play in participants' involvement, understanding, insights, and enjoyment as they develop better skills in communication, cooperation, affirmation, and perhaps transformation. These processes will be used as evaluations of our core exercises, materials, and activities, which the manual writes will incorporate into our manuals. Facilitators: The Education Committee and Co-Chairs Number of Participants: 20 (In order to retain the sense of community and cooperation that we will achieve in this workshop, we encourage each participant to remain with this workshop throughout the day, from beginning to closing.) Recommended/Optional Materials; A copy of Basic & Advance Manuals (if you have one of each), a laptop so that you may access the database of AVP exercises and activities. Friday Board Retreat Open Retreat for AVP-USA: What even does AVP-USA do? What more could AVP-USA be doing? This day long retreat will focus on identifying for Local Groups some of the key tangibles that AVP-USA can offer for local Groups. Then, using the Creative by Design model, small groups will envision innovative ideas for how AVP-USA can more effectively support Local Groups. Small groups will have time to work on compelling projects in order to develop a strong plan for making these visions a reality for AVP-USA. Goals: To strengthen AVP-USA and make it a strong resource for local groups. Monday Board Visioning In this session, participants will have the opportunity to work with the AVP-USA Committees to discuss Strategic Plan goals for AVP-USA. The Creative Design projects that were developed during the Friday Open Board Retreat will be integrated into the Strategic Plan and individuals will have the opportunity to express ideas, concerns and reservations about each of the goals for AVP-USA moving forward. One Post Gathering Training Monday through Wednesday Introduction to AVP AIKI Training What is it? How can I use it in my workshops? Join us for this interactive 2 ½ day post-conference workshop. Monday evening, May 27, through Wednesday afternoon, May 29, 2019 The first session will introduce the concept of “Embodied Peacemaking.Process” (BIM®) Core Exercises. We will explore concepts as they affect our bodies and learn a new Body-mind language. Day 2 we will learn and experience Aiki AVP exercises using various breathing and grounding techniques, concentric circles, activities using role play and other new body-mind exercises. Each exercise and session will be debriefed using “body-centric” language. Day 3 will give participants the chance to try out their facilitation skills using this new approach. We will discuss: Which exercises do you feel comfortable using in a prison, community or school setting; We will critique this new approach as individual exercises and how they might fit into your workshops?; How important is it to focus on the “body-mind” relationship?; Are these exercises easily replicable?; Might you need any additional resources or knowledge to facilitate in this manner?; Where do we go from here? Each participant will receive copies of all exercises included in this workshop (included in your workshop fee.) The outcomes are that you will know what Aiki AVP is about and you will be able to integrate Aiki AVP into your core AVP workshops. We value your feedback and hope you will help us shape this exciting approach to AVP that will enrich your workshop facilitation! |
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